Cooper sides with Thief The Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown looks like sorting out the pecking order for a few operations with Gigginstown House Stud and Willie Mullins having multiple runners on Sunday. Mullins runs four, including Cheltenham plunge horse Alvisio Ville and Grade One winners Nichols Canyon and McKinley. The Gigginstown silks will be carried by three, McKinley, Sub Lieutenant and Identity Thief, giving retained jockey Bryan Cooper a difficult choice. Despite Identity Thief having only one run over hurdles, Cooper has gone with potential over proven form. Cooper told his Racing FX blog: "There's a world of difference between a maiden hurdle and a Grade One, but he's going the right way and we'll learn a lot more about him on Sunday. "I think we're all going to have to go some to beat Alvisio Ville, though. He was hugely impressive at Leopardstown over Christmas and is very well regarded." Henry de Bromhead trains him and while aware of the task, has been happy with his charge at home. "It's what we've been aiming at, he seems in good form so we're hoping for a good run," said De Bromhead. "He won his maiden over two and a half and his bumper over two so I can't see the trip being an issue, he seems to have plenty of gears. "He seems in great form and we'll find out a lot more about him." Sandra Hughes is another who expects the slight step up in trip to suit her runner and said of Sub Lieutenant: "He's in very good form and we're really looking forward to running him. "We're hoping that the extra two furlongs here is just what he wants and brings about some improvement. "He's going to be a smashing horse next year, especially over fences." Tony Martin's Blair Perrone and the Dermot Weld duo of Cheltenham Bumper winner Silver Concorde and Windsor Park make up the field. Davy Russell had the choice of the two Weld runners and went with Windsor Park. "It was my choice," said Russell. "He just lost his position at a crucial time the last day but was staying on again at the finish. "I'd just be a little worried this trip might be a bit sharp."
